A/N: I'm glad ya'll enjoyed the Rysposito rap.. (Mmmmm Rysposito wrap. Yummy.) Thank you all for following, reviewing, favoriting - as the case may be. I love you for sticking with me with this.

Disclaimer: I don't own Castle.

Chapter 12

As the first Sunday approached - Beckett's Sunday with Alexis - she found herself getting nervous and she wasn't used to the feeling. She had always liked Alexis, right from the start when she had called Castle in for questioning for the first time. Alexis reminded Kate of her younger self. Of course, the blaring difference being that Alexis didn't seem to have a wild child phase. But she had a lot of qualities similar to Beckett in her younger days, and maybe even now. She wasn't loud and obnoxious like most of her peers at the time; she wasn't particularly drawn to partying or clubbing or anything of that sort - a good book to read in the comfortable confines of her room was a much better use of time.

Another blaring difference that came to mind was that Alexis was quickly approaching the age that for Beckett, had been a turning point. A turning point where everything turned upside down and inside out. She'd been forced to grow up at the very young age of nineteen. She had not been so lucky as to have her mom around to go shopping with; get relationship advice from; to keep her in check and to keep their family together. Rather than let these thoughts bring her down, like they did constantly - before the Castles came along; she let it strengthen her resolve to be the best she could from this end of the deal. She might still have the chance to enjoy all those things, just from the other perspective.

If Kate Beckett was given this chance; a shot to do it all the way she should have when she was growing up; hell - she wasn't going to screw it up. Forget the competition. She couldn't care less if she lost, not that she would let Castle know this minor detail, but she wouldn't mind a dinner date. Maybe she even looked forward to it; although being free of paperwork for a month also sounded enticing. She sighed, and set to work on a plan. Goal: Show Alexis a great time. Nothing more, nothing less. Anything else - winning or losing the bet - would be incidental.


This particular Sunday morning was the best that Castle had had in a long time. He heard the ding of the bell early in the morning, and had no doubt as to who it could be. He rushed out of bed to answer it, hastily throwing on a robe on his present state of semi-undress. All he had on was a white t-shirt and boxers. As comfortable as he felt in them, he was sure she might not feel the same way - yet. He needn't have rushed after all, he realized, because Alexis was busy getting ready in her room. He answered the door to let her in and took her jacket.

"Good morning, Kate", he said with an all too cheery smile.

How could he not be cheerful? There she was, the beautiful Kate Beckett, standing in front of him in a plain black t-shirt and skinny jeans, hardly any makeup on, looking him over - checking him out.

"Um", she cleared her throat, "Morning, Rick", did you just wake up?"

"Yeah. I didn't know you were coming this early". She blushed, he smirked. "Otherwise I'd have been ready - coffee and all."

"Hmm. I'm earlier than I said I'd be and it sounds like we still have time for coffee. You just gonna stand there and keep me hungry?" she said, batting her lashes.

Like she needed to do that. Like she'd have to make an extra effort to look adorable. He'd buy a damn breakfast joint for her if she kept doing this. He wasn't beyond that, he'd never be beyond her. Instead he said, "Of course. Just give me a minute, I'll brush my teeth and throw on some pajamas. Wouldn't want to distract you from your task today after all", he said as he rushed off to his room, not giving her a chance to reply. "Make yourself at home", he said over his shoulder, and then muttered to himself - almost inaudibly - "might as well practice from now".

Almost inaudible, to most people, but she was a detective. She detected the sound and much to her surprise, detected a smile growing on her face.


As she heartily ate the breakfast, much to his delight, and drank the coffee he'd made for them, they heard Alexis saunter down the stairs.

"Oh! Hi, Detective. You're here early! I'm sorry, if I'd known you were here, I'd have hurried up."

"Please, call me Kate", she smiled before continuing, "No need to apologize. Like you said, I'm here early. Come have breakfast with us."

For some reason, which Kate couldn't quite comprehend, Alexis was smirking as she came down. Once she took her food in her plate, she said, "Hmm. You're really early. An hour early. Funny, that", she said as she picked up a piece of pancake with her fork.

Kate blushed and Castle smirked. There was a lot of that happening already. He hadn't known just how early she was. This little detail warmed his heart. When he caught the red on her cheeks, and realized that her eyes were directed down to her now almost empty plate, he decided to change the topic. "So, do I get the points for this?"

"What, dad?" Alexis asked, puzzled.

"Points, for feeding you a delicious breakfast. You've got to have a point system to decide!" he said vehemently.

"What? No! Don't cheat, Castle."

"What?" he said with mock indignation. "I'm not the one who's cheating. You are! You're already off to a great start to the day, thanks to the breakfast which I made", he finished with a smug look.

Alexis said reluctantly, "Well, he does kind of have a point. I mean, this is a good way to start the day."

Kate huffed. "No way. Then I get a chance to make up the points. On your Sunday, I'm coming over to make breakfast."

This time Castle huffed, "Fine."

"Fine", Kate repeated.

"Fine with me", Alexis said and muttered under her breath, "not that that's the point of it or anything."

After she finished, Alexis excused herself back to her room to get a few things before they left for the day. Castle took the opportunity and got behind Kate, who was still seated on the stool. He reached over with one hand for her plate, but then surround her fully, crowding her into the kitchen table and kissed her neck.

"Castle", she gasped.

"Hmm?"

"Alexis is up there."

"I know that", he said with a chuckle, "that's why I'm here", he said, planting another kiss at her neck. If that's all he could do for now, he was going to milk it. He felt her shiver against him, causing him to smile. "You're coming over to cook breakfast next week. Can't get enough of me, can you?"

"Can't get enough of your amazing daughter."

"Hmm", he hummed as he nuzzled her neck. And oh, did she ever feel it. He could tell that she was fighting off the urge to squirm, moving ever so slightly.

Suddenly, he backed away, taking her plate with him and depositing it in the sink. She looked at him questioningly, eyebrows furrowed. He smiled and nodded towards the stairs.

"I'm ready when you are, Kate."

"Great! Let's go have some fun", she said as she went to fetch her jacket.

"Bye, ladies", Castle said while walking up behind them.

"Have fun, munchkin. But not too much", he said with a wink.

"Beckett, I'll see you later. Don't get your hopes up too high", he teased as he took her jacket from her and held it out. "Maybe you could use next Sunday to pick out a dress."

When Alexis looked at him curiously, he clarified, "For our date."

"Uh-huh. I'm not worried about it. You should probably get some writing done. Practice for a month's worth of typing out reports."

"Pfft. Won't be needing it."

"Alright, alright. Jeez, it's like dealing with two you's", Alexis said while rolling her eyes at Castle.

He just grinned and waved to them as they left for the day. He was going to be writing, not that Beckett needed to know that. He'd been feeling more inspired by the day. Even more so seeing his daughter with his muse, his best friend, his - . His.